QUBESKyushu University Bachelor of Engineering Seekers

NEWSLETTERCONTENTS
1

After QUBES

3

One Year of IUPE

5

Outside of Classrooms

7

INFORMATIONClub Activities
Community EngagementVOL.

062020After QUBES

Nanda’s Journey to Japan, Germany and US
Bodhinanda Chandra
Civil Engineering, Class of 2016Indonesia

Biodata
2012-2016: Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, Kyushu University
2016-2019: Master’s with Honors in Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich
2019-Present: Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering, with designated emphasis in Computational and Data Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Q 1. What did you do after graduating from Kyudai?

AAfter ﬁnishing my undergraduate degree in Kyudai, I decided to continue mymasterʼs degree at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, majoring
Computational Mechanics. During my time in Germany, I was lucky to have few
experiences to work in local industry and to exchange abroad in diﬀerent countries,including Spain, Italy, and Australia. Since 2019, I started my doctoral educationin the USA, at the University of California, Berkeley, returning back to the Civil
Engineering track. I am currently enjoying my days with lots of delicious Asian
foods, Boba, and the beautiful weather of California.

Japan: Hiking trip to Mt. Fuji with myKyudai buddies.

Q2. How are your studies and work currently?

AMy PhD focuses on developing a high-performance numerical model to predicthydro-geomechanical hazards, such as landslides, debris-ﬂow, and many otherrain-induced natural disasters. The developed software is hoped to contribute in
improving the design of many civil engineering structures to face the increasing
frequency of natural hazards caused by global warming.
Germany: Singing in a choir during adormitory summer party

Q3. How much of what you have chosen during your time in
Kyudai has aﬀected your life now?

AI started to have an interest in my current research ﬁeld thanks to my former
supervisor in Kyudai. He has inspired me in many ways during my bachelorʼsthesis to contribute in providing mitigation measures towards natural disasters.
Moreover, the curriculum taught in Kyudai allowed me to learn many knowledge in
general life science and fundamental civil engineering, and to experience research
life at very young age. These experiences have been very valuable, particularly at
the later stage of my education.

US: Engineering geology ﬁeld mapping andmeasurement with classmates in Sierra Nevada

Q4. What would be an advice that you'd give to
your undergraduate self?

A
1

Think twice before leaving Fukuoka and Japan! Youʼll for sure will miss many delicious local foods, including motsunabe,mentaiko, oysters (kaki) and late-night ramen. There will be no more beautiful Hanabi and Hanami festivals, 24 hour
convenient stores, easy access to hot-spring bath, overnight karaoke, and many more exciting experience outside Japan.
Value every moment you have there with your classmates and friends.

Sunny’s Journey to a Career in Japan
Xiaoyue Xie

Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2016

China

DID YOU KN

OW?
More than 80% ofIUPE students goonto prestigious graduate schools aroundthe world every year. And, some IU
PEstudents have been employed intop
Engineering com
panies in Japan
andother countries.
Let’s hear fromthegraduates themselves!

Biodata
2012-2016:Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, Kyushu University
2017-present: Engineer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Q1 . What did you do after Kyudai?

A

After graduating from Kyushu University, I entered Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Okazaki, Japan and started my working
career. In the company, I belong to EV and Powertrain engineering development department and have been in charge ofresearch and development of gasoline engine system.

Q2. Why did you choose this career path?

AIn Kyudai, my major was Mechanical Engineering and I did research related to Analysis
of noise and vibration of internal combustion engine. So, I wished to do things that
related to my research and wanted to know how the knowledge studied from university
can be actually applied to daily life.
Racing circuit activities with colleagues

Q3. How is your current job?

AI would say it is a very wonderful experience working in Japan. Since I am an IUPE programʼs student, I didnʼt have a lot ofchances to get contact with Japanese people, but after joining a Japanese company, I found that they are very friendly.
Everyone is kind and loves to communicate. Besides, the most important thing is that the company has high demand on eachpersonʼs knowledge and education, I am gaining new knowledge and improving myself every day.

Q4. Is there any memorable memory
from your current job?

AWhile Iʼm working as an engineering, I am also assigned to recruit new graduates ofKyushu University. So every year I have occasion to go back to campus. I cherish thisopportunity very much. Because it gives me a chance to share my own experienceswith students and give advice on job hunting as a graduate. It is a very meaningful job
to me.
Giving a presentation as recruiter ata job hunting seminarQ5. Do you have any advice

for your undergraduate self?

AEnjoying Summer break in Bangkok,Thailand@2018

I feel like I donʼt have enough time to hang out with friends now because of myheavy workload. So, I wished I could have enjoyed my studentʼs life more when I
was in university, such as joining extracurricular activities, making more friends,
especially eating more delicious food because it is so easy to get fat now!

2

2019
Winter

1

January

Spring2

3

February

March

4

April

5

May

6June

The mountains are calling!

Short trip with buddies: Experiencing AncientJapan in Dazaifu

The ocean of ﬂowers: Chance to get a jumping
shot!

Nothing can warm you up like winter hike withfriends.

The best cherry blossoms are in the countryside.
Go explore!

Introducing classical games from abroad toJapanese kids

Itoshima's beaches are beautiful year-round!

Spring is here but I'm still waiting for my grades.

Summer = happy sunﬂowers!

Rounding up the semester with a ﬁeld trip-Civil
Engineering 2020

Come join IUPE students for a barbecue undercherry blossoms!

Be careful not to get blown away in typhoonseason!

O n e3Y e a ro f

I U P ESummer

7

JulyAutumn

8August9September

10

October

Winter11

November

12

DecemberFeeling the ocean breeze from a ferry is the best!

Graduation ceremony: Congratulations senpai!

Our ﬁrst laboratory experiment. Do we look likescientists yet?

Letʼs take care of our environment and clean up
the beaches of Iki Island.

We got the coolest chance to do the Boeing
Externship in Sendai.

Experiencing the spirit of kendo in Itoshima highschool

The deer in Miyajima are really cute and friendly.

Our friend group for the next 4 years. Letʼs getalong, everyone!

Viewing autumn foliage in a historical temple is sucha wonderful experience.

Weʼve graduated! Thank you for the memoriesand letʼs start a new journey!

IUPE parties are always ﬁlled with fun activities
and good food. Study Hard, Play Harder!

Learning water engineering from the expert! Thelaboratory was very impressive.

4Outside of Classroo
Club Activities
Go Foo Yang

3rd year / Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMalaysia

It was a few years back when I first knew about the board game go. It seemslike a beautiful game with no limit to its possibilities. I have always wanted tolearn more about the game so when I came across the recruitment poster, I
decided to give it a try. Most members in the university club are experienced
players and it was quite challenging to play against them. I enjoyed every
game and some of them even have a lasting impression on me. The club
activities do not demand a huge commitment so there is a lot of freedom.
Please come and join us if you are interested!

Planet Q James2nd year / Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringThailand

In Kyushu University, there will be a week that every circles and clubs will
come out and promote. There are boards with information and students
advertising their circles or clubs. I was walking around at the center zone andsaw a giant rocket model. This got my attention since I really love rocket andspace. I decided to ask them to join this circle, Planet-Q, knowing myJapanese is not good and their English is also not good either. Surprisingly,
they welcomed me very warmly! During the orientation day, the moment I
walked into the room, one of the senpais took me to the seat, gave me snacksand drinks. They tried their best to introduce me to the circle in English, andlater that day they also bought me dinner! For the activity, I got to work withother Japanese. We somehow can communicate with English and Japanese
mixed together. We did a project of making a model rocket and fly it together.
It was very fun!

Aikido Fang

3rd year / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

ThailandI joined Kyudai Aikidou club for a year and a half by the normal recruitment at the beginningof my first year spring semester. I knew about the club from a friend and her senpai whowas the former member there. I joined the club to learn new things and have some fun. We
practiced 3-4 times a week with occasional demonstrations and rank tests. We had camps
every summer and spring break. I made some friends and a lot of good memories. I am glad
I joined the club because a chance like this does not come easily once we graduate.

5oomsStudying in Japan is not confined to the classroom. In Kyushu University, students canjoin many extracurricular activities to obtain the soft skills and explore Japanese culture.
Let’s hear what they experience!

Community Engagement
Taiko Event Erik

1st year / Civil Engineering

United States

What I enjoyed most about the Taiko event was being able to experience anaspect of Japanese culture I wouldn’t normally be able to back in my homecountry. I think Taiko has an amazingly unique sound that I think I can “feel”
it. Our teacher was super nice as well and was phenomenal at introducing
us. This experience inspired me to join the Kyudai Taiko club. In fact, I amcurrently a member of the taiko club! I still find it personally challenging, but
the leader of the club is an excellent teacher; not only does she know reallywell how to teach beginners, she is a really patient person. I am glad that I
joined the Taiko event back then.

Kendo Trial Ingram

1st year / Applied Chemistry

Malaysia

The Japanese high school students were very friendly to us and it was anhonour to get a glimpse into Japanese culture in school. Through kendo, I
got some knowledge about Japanese culture, spirit and courtesy. It was alsonice to be able to hear and share about life in Japan with the students; it wasquite fun being able to talk with them over lunch about their experiences :)Visiting Elementary School Kevin4th year / Mechanical Engineering

Indonesia

Studying at Kyushu University has exposed me to various valuable experiences both in studying and life. Just recently, for example, I was lucky to beinvolved in a cultural exchange event with Japanese elementary students,
which has both allowed me to teach them my culture and learn theirs inreturn. Through it, I was able to know more about the environment andcustoms in which Japanese people grew up. This has ultimately expanded myunderstanding of Japanese culture and improved my everyday interaction
with Japanese people. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested inexperiencing Japanese culture and knowing their society more deeply.

6

QUBES NEWSLETTER VOL. 06

Information
About Kyushu University
Kyushu University was founded in 1911 as one of the seven imperial universities
in Japan. Since then, it has distinguished itself as a highly-reputed research
university, not just in Japan but throughout Asia. The university is a large
comprehensive university, covering a wide range of disciplines. However theuniversity's main strengths lie in the field of science and engineering, throughactive and innovative research.

International Undergraduate Programs
in English: IUPEThe School of Engineering aims for students toacquire a solid foundation in engineering and develop
the ability to understand and explain a broad range ofissues, based on the principles and laws of basic
sciences including physics and chemistry. In
accordance with their individual aptitudes and needs,
students each select from the following programs:
Applied Chemistry, Civil Engineering, ElectricalEngineering & Computer Science, Mechanical &Aerospace Engineering.

Admission

KIKAN Education

1.5year● Common Core Subjects● Language and Culture Subjects● Humanities Core Subjects● General Subjects● Science Core Subjects

etc.

Special Education＋Graduation Research

2.5

years

AppliedChemistry

Civil
Engineering

ElectricalEngineering &Computer Science

Mechanical &Aerospace
Engineering

For further details, please visit the program’s website:
https://www.eng.kyushu-u.ac.jp/e/u_international.html

About QUBES website
The Kyushu University website for Bachelor of Engineering Seekers (QUBES) was
designed for students to be able to share their experiences in the International
Undergraduate Program in English. It is primarily managed by a student team,
who provides and manages the contents of the website.
Members 2019-2020:
Aldo (Applied Chemistry) and Thi (Applied Chemistry)
To lean more about our experiences, please visit QUBES' website:
http://qubes.kyushu-u.ac.jp/

Shikanoshima

JRKaiiLi

Fukuoka IC

ne

Hakozaki

Hospital Campus
Urban Expressway

Imajuku

Susenji IC

Hashimoto

JR

Urban Expressway

Other Line

Nishikyushu
Expressway

SubwayFukuoka Airport

Ohashi Campus

ineyHakataaL.Wa

TenjinRopponmatsu

imE xp六本松shhuRote 202

goNisyushi KImajuku IC

Nishijin

KaSusenji
Chikuzen Hatae
Maebaru

Meinohama

Kyushu Expressway

Kyudai-Gakken
Toshi

JR744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
Email: kotiupe@jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Nokonoshimau
ts ete i nhi L
is t aN mu
O

Kyushu University-School of Engineering
Student Affairs Division

Ito Campus

Dazaifu IC

Chikushi Campus

March 26, 2020

shContact